Published in: Jul 2025

AI for SMEs: The Key to Gaining a Competitive Edge (Part 1)

Author Wise Agent

Published on: July 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, and it’s speeding up the already fast-paced digital business arena. With limited resources, it would be a challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to stay competitive. However, strategic application of AI is most helpful for SMEs.

This 3-part series will discuss the role of AI in helping SMEs thrive in the new business frontier. In this article, you will learn 7 major advantages of using AI for SMEs:

Automation for cost savings

SMEs employees often have to take on multiple roles. This is where AI comes in handy. It can handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks such as data entry, scheduling, invoicing, or responding to common customer queries via chatbots. This can free up valuable time and cut operating costs. It will then allow your staff to focus on more strategic or creative work.

Enhance customer experience

AI tools like chatbots can offer 24/7 customer support. Recommendation engines can tailor product suggestions based on a customer’s browsing or purchase history. Such personalisation increases conversion rates, boosts customer satisfaction, and helps SMEs stand out in crowded markets.

Data-driven decision making

Predictive analytics can help forecast sales, anticipate customer behaviour, and plan for seasonal demand. SMEs can use AI tools to process and interpret large amounts of data quickly, providing actionable insights to make better-informed decisions.

Increase marketing effectiveness

With the help of AI, SMEs can better analyse customer behaviour, segment audiences, optimise email campaigns, and even write ad copy. Instead of blasting generic messages to everyone, SMEs can use AI to send the right message to the right person at the right time to increase engagement and ROI on marketing spend.

Streamline supply chain and inventory management

You can use AI to optimise inventory levels by predicting demand and recommending reorder points based on historical trends and real-time data. In logistics, AI can route deliveries more efficiently, anticipate delays, and even help negotiate better shipping rates.

Strengthen security and reduce risk

Cybersecurity is a growing concern, and SMEs are often more vulnerable than large enterprises. AI can help detect fraud, monitor for suspicious activity, and respond to threats in real-time—often before any damage is done.

Smart technology application

Incorporating AI features into existing or new products and services will help SMEs compete better. For example, a laundry business can choose to upgrade laundry machines to those with AI predictive features such as cycle monitoring or energy-saving technology to deliver better results.

Whether you are looking to save time, boost sales, or better understand your market, AI offers a powerful way to transform how your business operates. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where we examine the best AI solutions for SMEs. PLE Laundry Equipment Sdn. Bhd. is committed to help laundry business owners reap the benefits of AI in their operations. Check out our comprehensive, state-of-the-art smart Huebsch commercial laundry equipment range. Call us at 016–262 2965 or 603–5633 6405 for more information today.